Russia says Crimea status will not be discussed during peace talks with Ukraine

On March 29, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Crimea, former Ukrainian province, is a part of Russia and would t be discussed in peace talks. Moscow will t discuss status of Crimea with Kyiv or any or party, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday, commenting on outcome of peace negotiations day before. territorial conflict over Crimea was resolved within 15 years without use of force, according to Kyiv's proposal for a peace treaty with Russia, he ded.

“Crimea is part of Russian Federation. According to our constitution, we cant discuss with anyone fates of Russian territories, fates of Russian regions. That is out of question,” Peskov remarked.

In 2014, Crimea decided to rejoin Russia after Ukrainian government was overthrown by an armed coup in Kyiv. However, Ukraine argues vote was unlawful and refers to Crimea as Ukrainian territory that is temporarily occupied. Moreover, officials from Ukraine have stated that y will t relinquish ir claim to territory under any circumstances.

Crimea issue to be discussed separately: Podolyak

issues of temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as Crimea, will be taken out of main part of international agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine and discussed separately, Mykhailo Podolyak, viser to He of Presidential Office of Ukraine, stated at a press briefing in Istanbul.

"As for such issues as Crimea, this is a separate clause of agreement, in which we propose to enshrine position of Ukraine and Russia to hold bilateral talks on status of Crimea and Sevastopol for 15 years," Podolyak told reporters on March 29.

At same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's viser claimed that  Russian side is encourd to agree that during this time, neir Ukraine r Russia would employ military or armed forces to resolve Crimea issue. Podolyak also stated that problem of some areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions has been identified as a separate element that should be handled during talks between Ukraine's and Russia's presidents.

Im: AP